How to Identify Dead Trees on Your Property

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Completetree

Especially during the wintertime, it can be tough determining if a tree is dead, alive, or simply dormant for the season. This time of year, however, trees have not reached their dormancy yet, so it can be a little easier spotting a tree in trouble. Continue reading to learn how to tell the difference between a dead tree and a healthy tree, and what to do if your tree is indeed, dead.

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Small Dead Trees

For trees that are small or short, you are likely able to reach their twigs and branches. This makes it easy to test the tree and determine whether or not it is dead or alive. Simply snap off a twig and take a look at its fleshy center for signs of life. Healthy flesh will look light and green, whereas dead or dying/will look dull and gray. Also, a dead or dying tree branch will snap off dry and quick, whereas a healthy twig might give you a bit of a struggle. Small trees are easy to manage, but when trees are very large or tall it can be difficult testing branches on your own if you can’t reach them. For this reason, you need professional Indianapolis tree service.

Large Trees That are Dead or Dying

Professional tree service companies retain the proper training, experience, and specialized equipment to care for large trees safely and efficiently. They will be able to implement the proper procedures to test the tree for life, as well as suggest and implement strategies for either saving or removing the tree. Of course, they also retain the proper resources to provide safe tree removal and tree care services. If the trees that are dying, it usually needs to be removed right away to prevent accidents.

Before you contact a professional tree service company, you can look for signs of a dead or dying tree. Having this information and relaying it to your professional tree technician will help them better understand your tree care needs.

Signs of a Dead Tree:

► Loss of Foliage
► Leaf Discoloration
► Leaf Curling
► Leaf Wilting
► Pest Infestations
► Tree Trunk Rot
► Waterlogged Roots
► Exposed Roots
► Bark Discoloration
► Fungus Growth
► Dropping Branches

Dead Tree Removal Service in Indianapolis and Surrounding Counties

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 to get professional tree removal for dead trees in Indianapolis, Indiana. We have served Hoosier communities since 1978 as a licensed and insured tree service company here in Indianapolis, and continue to provide top quality tree services for both residential and commercial properties throughout its surrounding areas. if you have a tree emergency after regular business hours, we offer two separate after-hours phone lines! Contact us to request an estimate, anytime.

Professional Tips for Winterizing Trees

Posted on November 24, 2020 by Completetree

Just like you would the rest of your home, prior to the cold season arriving, it is important to prepare your trees for winter conditions. Weakened, exposed, or otherwise vulnerable trees can be subjected to irreversible damage caused by inclement weather. Prevent losing your landscaping trees from these causes and more by implementing some winter protection.

Continue below to learn some professional tips on how to winterize your trees before winter is here.

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Tree Winterization Advice You Should Consider

Even though trees look like they are dead or inactive in the winter, they are actually alive and well. They are working hard to regulate their metabolism and stay strong till spring season blooming. Even in winter, trees are growing at their roots, limbs, and more. To help trees accomplish this through the winter, implement some important seasonal tree care practices.

Here are some tips for winterizing your trees:

☙ Pruning

Until the ground is frozen and the first full frost has fallen, it is not too late to prune back some of your landscaping trees. Just be sure you are extensively experienced and retain the proper tools for the job, or hire a professional tree service company in Indianapolis for insured work you can trust.

☙ Mulching and Aeration

The changing weather conditions in winter also affect the temperature and moisture levels in the soil, which are important to tree health. For this reason and more, it is wise to aerate the soil surrounding your landscaping trees to ease compaction, and follow up with a proper mulching around the base of the tree trunk.

☙ Fertilization and Watering

Using a balanced fertilizer is optional when it comes to tree winterization, however, it is highly recommended. Be sure you know what you are doing in terms of tree fertilization, otherwise, it is even more recommended to hire a certified arborist for the job. For ornamental and fruit trees, a dormant spray might also be a good addition to pre-winter tree care. Talk to your arborist for advice.

Certified Arborist and Tree Service Experts in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional arborist and tree care service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We are experienced tree care technicians that can resolve your tree problems, regardless of your projects size or scope. We offer a wide range of tree removal and tree services, for both residential and commercial properties. We even offer free estimates and free tree care advice!

The Common Process of Tree Fertilization

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Completetree

Many people overlook the importance of tree fertilization, when in fact, such treatments can improve the brilliance and function of a tree, and extends it life. Tree fertilization is especially important in certain regions of the country where nutrient content is soil is deficient. The process is designed to fill the void for whatever nutrients and elements are lacking in soil, which in turn restores tree health.

Continue reading to learn more about the process of tree fertilization, including how to outsource tree services in Indianapolis.

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Good Soil Versus Bad Soil

As humans, we require certain vitamins, nutrients, and other natural elements to grow strong and live long. Well, the same applies to trees. Trees also need an adequate amount of nutrients in order to grow to their best ability, withstand disease, and live for as long as possible. And it all starts in the soil. Good quality soil is full of nutrients and organic matter, and contains the proper pH levels conducive to plant growth. Poor quality soil lacks sufficient nutrients, and may contain high levels of salts, pesticides, or other toxins.

You can tell the difference between healthy soil and unhealthy soil by inspecting its appearance. Healthy soil is rich in color, and contains a minimal level of moisture and softness. It will also contain organic matter, like earthworms and other insects. Unhealthy soil will be compacted, dry, dull in color, and crumbly. Fortunately, tree fertilization helps safeguard landscaping trees from experiencing deficiencies in essential nutrients, specifically macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients.

? Macro-Nutrients = Trees require more macro-nutrients than micro-nutrients. The most vital macros include nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sulfur.

? Micro-Nutrients = Although trees require less micro-nutrients compared to macros, they are still essential to tree health. This includes magnesium molybdenum, copper, nitrogen, chlorine, boron, and zinc.

The Tree Fertilizing Process

The best times of year to fertilize your trees are in spring, between April and May, or in late fall, which would be right about now. It is wise to outsource professional Indianapolis tree care to ensure proper tree fertilizing procedures and successful results. You can buy tree fertilizer at your local home improvement or garden store, but your professional tree service technician will also retain a quality option at wholesale price.

Where to Get Tree Fertilization Service in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 to speak with a certified arborist about tree fertilization services in Indianapolis, Indiana and surrounding locations. We serve all of Central Indiana with a wide range of tree care services for both residential and commercial properties. Whether you need a single tree removed, or simply require routine tree service, like trimming or pruning, we can deliver prompt and professional service at a fair price. Request a free estimate, today.

Complete Tree Care Has the Affordable Indianapolis Tree Service You Need This Season

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Completetree

Complete Tree Care is your solution to prompt, professional, and inexpensive Indianapolis tree service that won’t let you down. Since 1978, we have been a family owned and operated tree care business dedicated to superior customer service and steadfast professionalism. Continue below to learn which types of tree care are strongly encouraged this time of year, how to get the best deals on tree care, and why you should choose us as your Indianapolis tree service providers.

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An Indianapolis Tree Service Company You Can Count On Year-Round

Here at Complete Tree Care, we are a licensed and insured family-owned and operated tree service company based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. After opening the business in 1978, we have continued to serve the surrounding Hoosier communities with superior tree service and customer support. There is nothing we won’t do to ensure our clients are fully-satisfied with our services.

? Our Creed is in Our Craft

As licensed and insured tree care professionals with more than three decades of experience in the industry, you can trust us for the highest quality work as the fairest prices around.

? We Maintain Fair Pricing

As a locally-owned and independent business, we understand the value of a dollar, which is why they maintain the most economical prices in town. You may contact us directly to speak with a friendly office manager about your Indianapolis tree service needs, anytime.

? We Offer Full-Service Tree Care

Complete Tree Care has your tree service needs comprehensively covered since we are fully-equipped to manage any job, regardless of size or scope. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree work, including tree removal, tree trimming, pruning, shaping, stump removal, stump grinding, lot clearing, storm damage tree clearance, tree transplanting, arborist referrals, pest integration, and much more. Hiring a professional tree service with the amount of experience Complete Tree Care has is crucial to getting the job done correctly. Experience is the first credential to look for when searching for a tree service company.

How to Get Started With Free Tree Care Advice or a Service Bid

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for Indianapolis tree services at an affordable price. As professional tree specialists, we know precisely how to manage every tree service job requested of us. We only use quality equipment to carry out our tree care services and never neglect safety. Our teams are genuinely dedicated to honest, quality workmanship, and passionate about caring for trees. Request an estimate or advice anytime. Call 317-783-2518 to learn more about tree care in Indianapolis, today.

What You Need to Learn About Tree Stress

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Completetree

Did you know that trees can feel stressed out? It’s true! Trees can experience stress, discomfort, and irritation as a result of external factors and elements. Just like humans, trees can both feel stressed and be treated to relieve stress. In order to determine if your landscaping trees are distressed, look for the common signs and symptoms, including crown dieback, foliage loss, rotting bark, fungal growth, pest infestations, leave discoloration, and more.

Continue reading to learn what causes a tree to experience stress, how to identify a stressed tree, and your options for treatment.

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What Stresses a Tree Out?

The most common time for tree stress to occur is during extremely hot and dry times of the year, particularly in the months of July and August. Once a tree is stressed, it is weakened, making it more vulnerable to pest infestations, wildlife interference, disease, and more. Once you know your tree is under duress, it is important to treat the root cause as soon as possible. To do this accurately, you will need to hire an experienced tree care specialist for professional tree service and assistance. In the meantime, learn the different signs and symptoms of a stressed tree and keep a close eye on your lawn next spring!

Signs and Symptoms of a Tree in Distress

Leaf discoloration is a common sign of tree stress. Often times, leaves will begin to discolor and even grow smaller when a tree is experiencing pressure or anxiety. Leaves can also appear chewed, curled, discolored, permeated, and thin. It is very common for a tree to drop its leaves under stress as well.

Crown and tip dieback is another common symptom of a stressed tree. Not only will the canopy or crown of the tree begin to diminish and thin, the tips of branches will also thin and lose leaves. This will make the tree bald at its canopy’s tips and top.

Rotten bark is a red flag for tree stress. The bark can begin to rot in certain areas, or create rotted out cavities within the trunk of the tree. Rotten wood should be sprayed annually to prevent disease, pests, and exponential rotting. Once healthy again, the tree will start to grow new bark in place of the rotten bark.

Soil-borne mushrooms and fungal growth is another common sign that a tree is not healthy. When mushrooms grow on the trunk, it is not so alarming. But when they are growing in the soil surrounding the base of the tree, it could be an indication of root rot. This calls for serious and professional tree service.

Indianapolis Tree Service Professionals Who Can Help With Stressed Trees

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional Indianapolis Indiana tree service you can trust. We serve all of Central Indiana with a wide range of skilled tree removal and tree care services, for both residential and commercial properties. Whether you need a single tree removed, or simply require routine tree service, like trimming or pruning, we can deliver prompt and professional service at a fair price. Request a free estimate, today.

When is the Recommended Time of Year to Transplant a Tree?

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Completetree

There are many reasons why you might need to relocate a tree on your property. Some of the more common reasons include home conversions or additions, landscaping remodeling, or a tree simply becoming too large for the space it’s in. If you need a tree transplanted, it is important to learn what you need to know for successful results. One of the most important factors in tree transplanting is timing. Continue reading to learn how to get your timing right when it comes time to transplant your tree.

Tree Transplantation Basics

The science behind tree transplantation is quite complex. But not to worry; as a property owner, all you need to be familiar with are the basics. As mentioned, transplanting a tree at the right time of year is one of those fundamentals. The general focus for transplanting a tree at the right time of year is dormancy. For this reason, late winter and early spring are the perfect times to get the job done.

Transplant Trees in Fall, Late Winter or Early Spring While Still Dormant

❦ Transplanting in Fall – Transplant your tree in the fall, but only after all the leaves have dropped for the season.

❦ Transplanting in Spring – Transplanting your tree in spring is safe, but be sure to do so before they begin to show new bud formation.

❦ Transplanting in Winter – Transplanting trees in winter is possible, so long as the ground is not too frozen.

Post-Transplanting Tree Care

Transplanting a tree on your property during the right time of the year is just the beginning. You need to also provide post-care for your transplanted trees and shrubs. Focus on watering, including a deep water every 2 weeks or so. Also be sure to consider mulching and tree staking, but avoid fertilizing. Wait at least one year before fertilizing a tree that was transplanted to a new location.

Rely on Indianapolis Tree Care You Can Trust

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for prompt and professional Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We are experienced tree care technicians that can resolve your tree problems, regardless of your projects size or scope. We offer a wide range of tree removal and tree services, for both residential and commercial properties. We even offer free estimates and free tree care advice!

Quick Guide to Tree Stump Burning

Posted on August 13, 2020 by Completetree

Tree stumps are a natural part of the tree decline process. Whether turned over by a storm, cut down for landscaping reasons, or succumbed to certain, natural death, a tree stump is sure to remain once a tree is no more. However, you do not have to live with a tree stump forever. You can choose from a variety of stump removal methods, from machine stump removal and stump grinding, to manual stump removal. One such manual stump removal option is stump burning. Although it is strongly recommended to hire a professional for all tree service tasks, those who are confident in their handyman skills may be able to burn out a tree stump themselves.

Continue below to get an understanding of what the process of tree stump burning looks like, and ultimately, why you should enlist the services of a trained expert.

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Supplies to Gather:

➜ Shovel
➜ Power Drill
➜ Kerosene
➜ Charcoal
➜ Firewood
➜ Long Matches
➜ Water in Can or Hose

Tree Stump Removal Process By Burning:

Check the Weather Report

You never want to work with fire outdoors in certain weather conditions. Check your week’s forecast to ensure a calm, dry day for burning, followed by some wet days to ensure all smolders are out.

Dig a Moat Hole Around the Stump

Dig around the tree stump to expose as much of the trunk as you can. If you can get all the way down to the roots below the trunk, do so.

Drill Holes into the Trunk

Using a power drill and bit, drill 12 mm holes into the sides of the tree stump. Drill as deep as it will let you, up to 20 mm is ideal.

Inject Kerosene into the Holes

Using whatever apparatus that suits you, pour kerosene into the drilled holes. Then let the kerosene soak in for a couple of days.

Build a Charcoal and Firewood Mound

Build a mound of charcoal around and on top of the tree trunk, then cover with an additional layer of firewood. Use whatever amount you need depending on the size of the trunk.

Set the Stump Ablaze and Control It

Using long matches, set your mound on fire. Be sure to control the fire by supervising it up close at all times, and dampening the surrounding soil to ensure it does not spread around or underground.

Be Patient for a Few Days

On the first day, your stump should burn a quarter of the way. Each day from there, the smoldering should reduce the stump fully. Give it 3 or 4 days.

Licensed Indianapolis Stump Removal You Can Trust

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for stump removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. We are highly trained and experienced tree care technicians that offer commercial and residential tree services at affordable prices. As professional tree specialists, we know precisely how to manage every tree service job requested of us. We only use quality equipment to carry out our tree care services and never neglect safety. And if you have a tree emergency after regular business hours, we offer two separate after-hours phone lines!

What You Need to Know About Tree Boring Insects

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Completetree

The frustrating thing about wood-boring insects is that you can’t always see the scope of damage they cause to your trees. Just below the bark of your favorite landscaping tress might lie an infestation of tree-boring beetles that you never knew were there! There are various species of wood-boring insects and beetles, some of which are a minor threat, while others are highly invasive and detrimental to trees. It is important to stay on top of routine tree care in order to catch a small infestation problem early on, before your tree can get sick, or worse, die.

Continue reading to learn more about wood-boring beetles, and which ones are known to target trees.

Indianapolis Tree Care Service 317-783-2518

Wood Borers and Tree Health

Although wasps and moths are known to target wood, and therefore, trees, beetles take the cake for the most invasive and damaging. The most common wood-boring beetle is aptly named the Emerald Ash Borer, and targets mostly Ash trees, but can also infest other trees as well. Other common wood-borers include:

? Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
? Redheaded Ash Borer
? Red Oak Borer
? Cottonwood Borer
? Locust Borer

Adult beetles bury below the bark, deep into the tree’s inner tissue, and then lay their eggs. They are also clever enough to use existing cracks in the bark and inner tissue when wood is too hard to bore. This is another reason why you want to take good care of your trees! Once the eggs are laid, the damage to the tree instantly becomes exponential since the larvae feeds on the bark. They tunnel all through the inner tissue, eating more and growing fatter.

As a result, the tree’s structured is weakened, causing the tree to continually lose its ability to properly distribute water and nutrients, thus causing it to enter a state of decline. In fact, an infested tree will often times have sawdust and debris at its base, providing prime evidence of borer larvae and beetles. Small L-shaped or D-shaped exit holes are another common sign of a wood-borer infestation.

Signs of a Tree-Borer Infestation

It is important to catch a beetle infestation early on through professional, routine tree service. Because their existence can go unnoticed for so long, most cases of wood-borer infestations are not treatable. However, in early cases of infestation, treatment is possible so long as it is done immediately. There are several ways to identify a wood-borer infestation in trees and other foliage. Their movements and behaviors leave clues behind that can only suggest a wood-boring beetle problem. Here are the common signs and symptoms of a tree infected and overcome with borer colonies:

Splitting Bark
Canopy Thinning and Die-Back
Foliage Bareness
Vertical Fissures on Bark
Callous Tissue Formation
Exposed Galleries under Bark Split
Serpentine-Shaped Larvae Feeding Galleries in Bark
Frass Accumulation (Mix of Saw Dust and Excrement)
D-Shaped Holes in Trunk
Increase Woodpecker Activity
Sprout Growth from Roots and Trunk
Larger-than-Normal Leaves

Indianapolis Indiana Tree Service You Can Afford

Indiana Hardy Trees That Can Be Planted in Full Sun Locations

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Completetree

Finding a tree that you like to look at is just one aspect of choosing the right tree for your lot. There are plenty more factors to consider if you want your tree to grow strong and last a long time. One such factor that seems to hold homeowners back from reaching their landscaping goals is overexposure to sun. Especially for new construction homes, there can be many areas of a lot that do not have any sources of shade.

In this case, planting a tree that is not suitable to full-sun exposure can end in failure. After all, how frustrating would it be to spend several hundred dollars on a new tree, only for it to decline the following season? Even a 30 or 90-day guarantee from your landscaping retailer won’t help since often times, damage shows up the season after too much sun exposure.

Continue reading to learn which species of tree are both hardy to Indiana, and suitable for a full-sun location in your yard!

Drought-Tolerant, Full-Sun Tree Species

The USDA Hardiness Zones for Indiana are 5 and 6, specifically 5b, and 6a, and 6b. Common trees that are hardy to Indiana zones include Ash, Cedar, Pine, Hemlock, Elder, Birch, Beech, Cherry, Walnut, Chestnut, Buckeye, Hickory, Locust, Magnolia, Maple, Oak, Poplar, Sweetgum, Sycamore, Willow, and more. However, the most common tree species that do very well in Indiana climates, plus can thrive in full-sun or drought-tolerant conditions include:

American Sweet Gum
Autumn Blaze Red Maple Tree
Ash Tree
Ginkgo Trees
Quaking Aspen Tree
Yoshino Cherry Tree
Kwanzan Cherry Tree
Autumn Cherry Tree
Okame Cherry Tree
Blue Point Juniper
Sugar Maple Tree
Emperor One Japanese Maple

Robinson Crabapple Tree
Amberglow Redwood Tree
Red Dogwood Tree
White Dogwood
White Kousa Dogwood Tree
Butterfly Bush
Dura Heat River Birch
Eastern Redbud
Redbud Trees
Superior Hybrid Poplar Tree
American Sycamore Tree
Blue Moon Reblooming

Tree Planting Tips

When you plant a new tree, you can expect it to require a little more attention than the rest of your landscaping trees. That is because the root system is still being introduced into the soil and acclimating to its new surroundings. Here are some tips that will put you on a path of success:

For the first several months, you must check the soil every day, and water your transplanted tree every few days. Just be sure to not over-water; two or three times a week is a great starting off point. If it rains, check the top few inches of soil around the base of the tree for moisture first.

Laying mulch around the base of your trees is a highly effective method of supporting healthy growth and prolonging their life. Although you do not need to re-mulch every week, it is important to check on your mulch beds every day to ensure they are still doing their job.

It is important to inspect the branches of your transplanted tree every day to assess its pruning needs. Pruning should take place right after you transplant your tree. No more than 25% of a tree’s foliage should be removed in a year. Be sure to have a licensed tree service company perform your annual pruning needs to ensure that the proper ANSI tree pruning standards are applied.

Inspect your tree every day to ensure it is growing as it should. If it is not, fertilizer may be an option. Fertilizer should only be applied AFTER the first year of tree transplanting. Stressed trees should never be fertilized.

It is important to minimize the level of danger that can be imposed onto your new tree. This includes taking into consideration lawn mowers, sprinkler systems, nuisance wildlife, pets, herbicides, pesticides, and more.

Get Trusted Tree Care Advice and Tree Service in Indianapolis

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for experienced tree service in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, including tree removal, tree trimming, stump grinding, stump removal, lot clearing, and more. If you want professional and efficient service you can trust, Complete Tree Care is the right call!

How to Spot the Signs of Tree Stress

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Completetree

Just like ourselves, trees can experience different levels of stress and discomfort as a result of exterior factors and influences. And just like us, trees can be treated to relief symptoms and underlying causes. To determine if your landscaping trees are under duress, look for the tell-tale signs, including crown die back, foliage loss, rotting bark, fungal growth, pest infestations, leave discoloration, and more.

Continue reading to learn what causes a tree to experience stress, how to identify a stressed tree, and your options for treatment.

Common Causes for Tree Stress

The most common time for tree stress to occur is during extremely hot and dry times of the year, particularly in the months of July and August. Once a tree is stressed, it is weakened, making it more vulnerable to pest infestations, wildlife interference, disease, and more. When you know your tree is under duress, it is important to treat the underlying cause as soon as possible. To do this accurately, you will need to hire an experienced tree care specialist for professional tree service and assistance. In the meantime, learn the different signs and symptoms of a stressed tree and keep a close eye on your lawn next spring!

Signs and Symptoms of a Stressed Tree:

Crown and tip die back is another common symptom of a stressed tree. Not only will the canopy or crown of the tree begin to diminish and thin, the tips of branches will also thin and lose leaves. This will make the tree bald at its canopy’s tips and top.

Soil-borne mushrooms and fungal growth is another common sign that a tree is not healthy. When mushrooms grow on the trunk, it is not so alarming. But when they are growing in the soil surrounding the base of the tree, it could be an indication of root rot. This calls for serious and professional tree service.

Indianapolis Tree Service for Residential and Commercial Clientele

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for prompt and professional Indianapolis tree services you can afford. We are experienced tree care technicians that can resolve your tree problems, regardless of your projects size or scope. We offer a wide range of tree removal and tree services, for both residential and commercial properties. We even offer free estimates and free tree care advice!